NEPAL

Nepal, the Kingdom of Gorkha

The small land-locked country of Nepal is known worldwide for its ancient culture and abundant natural marvels.It is one of the least urbanized countries in the world. Home to 8 out of 10 highest mountains in the world, Nepal’s most famous one is undoubtedly the Mount Everest.

Culture of Nepal

Nepali culture is a fusion of Indo-Aryan and Tibetan-Mongolian influences. Hinduism is the predominant religion in Nepal followed by Buddhism, Islam, Kiratism, Christianity and Animism .The national language and medium of education are both Gorkahali (Nepali). The country has the most number of heritage sites in the world and is known as the birthplace of Gautam Buddha

Arts and literature of Nepal

In the 19th century, Bhanubhakta Acharya’s adaptation of Ramayana increased the number of Nepali reader for the epic. The first literary journal was known as Sharada. Laxmi Prasad Devkota also known as Mahakavi is hailed as the greatest novelist- poet, playwright and writer in Nepal. When it comes to arts, Nepali art has a lot of religious influence. Folk music and dance with a lot of distinctive instruments form a major part of performing arts in Nepal.

The must-visit places in Nepal

Kathmandu

Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, for the old royal palace at Durbar Square, a UNESCO Heritage Site. Also visit the marketplaces for the Tibetan meat pies, fair-trade shops and restaurants.

Bhaktapur

The best preserved medieval city of Nepal, Bhaktapur, there are intricate temples and statues all across the streets

Lumbini

A trip to Nepal is incomplete without a visit to the birthplace of Gautama Buddha and the Maya Devi temple. The ancient stupas, beautiful gardens set the scene for a peaceful round of meditation.
Go camping on the banks of Gokyo lakes at the base of the Mt.Everest. Most importantly don’t miss a chance to visit the spectacular Everest base camp to sum up the experience of Nepal in its entirety. The Chitwan Safari, is also a must for all the lovers of nature and wildlife.

What to eat in Nepal?

The staple crops cultivated in Nepal include rice, maize, millet, barley, wheat, and vegetables. A vegetarian diet is most commonly followed although non-vegetarian diet is followed by some. Defined by delicious lentil soups, non-creamy curries and steamed momos, the Nepali cuisine is very popular with tourists. Some other delicious dishes include Sel Roti or sweet doughnuts and Dhindo made out of buckwheat and maize.

When to Go

For a hassle-free journey, the best time to visit Nepal in late September to early December. The climate is great for trek-lovers too. To witness the glorious flora of Nepal, it is ideal to visit in March-April.

How to reach Nepal?

By air, you can reach Nepal via its single international airport, Tribhuvan Airport. Indians do not require a visa to travel by air to Nepal.

By Train

From New Delhi, take a train to Gorakhpur followed by a bus to Nepal. The other non-stop rail route to Nepal is from Jayanagar,Bihar to Nepal’s Mithila region.
To travel in and around Nepal, you can choose either a cab or small aircrafts based on your preference.

Do’s and Don’ts in Nepal

Show both hands to show gratitude and respect, in Nepal.

Use a flat extended hand to point to objects or place while conversing because pointing with a single finger is considered offensive.

Among Hindus, refrain from touching women and holy men and saying “Namaste” greeting is preferable.

Don’t use your left hand for eating.

Don’t photograph local or holy shrines unless you’ve received consent.

The amazing biodiversity of the country is mesmerizing and boasts of more than 900 species of birds, 650 types of butterflies, 5980 types of flowering plants. When it comes to animal species the one-horned rhino, snow leopard, swamp deer, Gharial crocodiles, wild honeybees and the Bengal tiger are some of the prominent species.
Visit Nepal and you will surely make an unforgettable bounty of exhilarating memories.